This idiom describes suppressing one’s emotions, words, or reactions, often to avoid conflict or maintain decorum, as if physically biting one’s lip to stay silent. It conveys self-restraint or endurance in the face of provocation, used in personal, social, or professional contexts to highlight the effort of holding back. The phrase carries a tone of discipline, tension, or quiet suffering, reflecting cultural values of composure and the human tendency to mask feelings for social harmony. Its physical imagery evokes a visceral act of control, resonating in scenarios like heated arguments or delicate negotiations. The idiom underscores the struggle between expression and restraint, making it a poignant metaphor for emotional self-management.

The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, rooted in physical expressions of restraint, as biting one’s lip was a visible sign of holding back speech or tears. Its earliest recorded use appears in William Shakespeare’s *The Taming of the Shrew* (1590), where characters ‘bite their lips’ to suppress anger. The idiom gained traction in 19th-century British literature, particularly in Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice* (1813), which used it to depict emotional restraint. Its spread was amplified in the 20th century through etiquette manuals and media, notably in British and American dramas depicting social tension. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures, especially in Britain and the U.S., stems from its evocative imagery and applicability to moments of suppressed emotion, from personal disputes to diplomatic silence.